Leon Edwards continued to establish his title reign in the welterweight division when he turned back challenger Colby Covington in the UFC 296 main event.
Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) registered his second defense of the 170-pound bouts on Saturday, this time with a lopsided unanimous decision victory over outspoken contender Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the headlining act at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Edwards’ title defense over Covington at UFC 296.
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MMA Junkie
MAIN EVENT TIME! Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington is finally here.
How do you see this one going? 👇#UFC296 | Full coverage: https://t.co/BjkSdOwAxh pic.twitter.com/MZCgB7DGhX
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
UFC
Talked the talk, now he walks the walk! @ColbyCovMMA enters for another shot at undisputed gold at #UFC296! pic.twitter.com/YqcjISjjyY
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
MMA Junkie
Colby Covington shares a moment with Donald Trump after walking out for the #UFC296 main event. pic.twitter.com/tjoDQlL2cH
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
MMA Junkie
"Rocky" has arrived! Champ Leon Edwards makes his walk to the octagon for the #UFC296 main event vs. Colby Covington. pic.twitter.com/u0f3biU6W1
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
UFC
Enter the welterweight king!@Leon_EdwardsMMA prepared to make his second title defense tonight at #UFC296 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7loZbO8RIM
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
UFC
Coach knows 🧠 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/SHaj2ppE8F
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 17, 2023
UFC
HERE. WE. GO.
The final fight of 2023 starts NOW! #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/85NNbHgJfY
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Henry Cejudo
The fun and games are over. Now it’s strictly business. Colby Covington is going to press him to get him against the cage, weigh on him, and fatigue him. #UFC296
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 17, 2023
Bloody Elbow
Edwards on the front foot early. Covington circling the edge of the Octagon. #UFC296
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) December 17, 2023
Kevin Iole
Crowd chanting F you Leon
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) December 17, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili
Belal Muhammad
This bum shouldn’t be fighting for the belt
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 17, 2023
Anton Tabuena
Colby looking absolutely gun shy to start
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) December 17, 2023
Caposa
Still early but uhh Colby looks pretty bad in R1
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 17, 2023
Matthew Wells
Easy 10-9 for Edwards in the slow-paced R1. #UFC296
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) December 17, 2023
Fight Ghost
Edwards beat up Covington in round 1, live odds -275 Leon #UFC296
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) December 17, 2023
Alan Jouban
Leon up 1. But a feeler round where Leon was looking to mainly counterpunch. #UFC296
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) December 17, 2023
Ben Askren
Weird round. Easy win for Leon, don’t know why Colby didn’t try more pressure
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 17, 2023
Brady Hiestand
Hoping for more in the 2nd. Colby can’t fight like this.
— Brady Hiestand (@bradyHiestand1) December 17, 2023
Henry Cejudo
Round 1 was boring but I’ll give it to Leon Edwards. #UFC296
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 17, 2023
Teddy Atlas
Edwards doesn’t waste anything, accurate and always in position. 1-0 Edwards #UFC296
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) December 17, 2023
E. Spencer Kyte
Nearly two years off, hasn't beaten anyone meaningful in five years, 35 years old, talked himself into a corner… it all adds up, man. #UFC296
— E. Spencer Kyte (@spencerkyte) December 17, 2023
Niall McGrath
Colby Covington with a ridiculously conservative start here 😬🤣 #UFC296
— Niall McGrath (@niallmcgrath4) December 17, 2023
Dan Tom
Also, the counter crosses and right hooks I talked about in all my breakdowns have been there since Jump Street for Edwards, but this ain’t over… #UFC296
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) December 17, 2023
Tito Ortiz
Let’s go @ColbyCovMMA do it for our country! #UFC296 🙏🏼🇺🇸
— Tito Ortiz (with the blue check) (@titoortiz) December 17, 2023
Aiemann Zahabi
Is Colby taking a dive?? 🤣
— Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) December 17, 2023
Zac Pauga
Colbys going to Ride the cage and do nothing for 5 rounds? Bold plan let’s see how it works out for him. #UFC296
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) December 17, 2023
Alan Jouban
Not a lot of “chaos” thus far! #UFC296
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) December 17, 2023
Brett Okamoto
I think it's Leon's speed that's throwing Colby off right now. He looks intimidated by it. Like he doesn't trust where Leon is gonna be when he wants to throw.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 17, 2023
Derek Brunson
Leon wins this type of fight 9/10 times . You can’t let him stay comfortable on the outside ! #UFC296
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 17, 2023
Belal Muhammad
What a waste of everyone’s time
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 17, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Trump is on tik tok right now scrolling
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 17, 2023
Michael Carroll
Is Colby hurt or something?
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) December 17, 2023
Daniel Rubenstein
Maybe this is why you don’t give a title fight to a guy who had been off for 20+ months 🤦🏻♂️
— Daniel Rubenstein (@dannyrube) December 17, 2023
Ben Askren
Anyone know what’s Colby strategy???
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 17, 2023
Nolan King
20-18 Edwards. That was a more eventful round, but still not very eventful round. Boos at T-Mobile Arena #UFC296
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) December 17, 2023
Henry Cejudo
2-0 Leon Edwards. What’s up Donald Trump’s son, you’re fighting like a little hoe! #UFC296
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 17, 2023
Danny Segura
This has been Edwards' easiest 10 minutes of his entire UFC career. Covington is NOT DOING ANYTHING. #UFC296
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) December 17, 2023
Matt Brown
We all knew Colby was a dummy but didn’t think he was dumb enough to not look to take Leon down
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 17, 2023
Teddy Atlas
Edwards efficient and measured, looking to take Covington apart piece by piece. #UFC296
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) December 17, 2023
Aljamain Sterling
That leg is getting chewed up bad
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 17, 2023
Bloody Elbow
Covington opens round 3 with a takedown attempt, but can't get it. Back to circling away and giving Edwards range and space. #UFC296
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) December 17, 2023
UFC
Edwards secures the takedown on Covington on R3 👀 #UFC296
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Dan Tom
Leon said fuck your takedown LOL #UFC296
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) December 17, 2023
Michael Chandler
Through three rounds, the guy who calls out the “triggered” sure is afraid to pull the trigger. #ufc296
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 17, 2023
Brian Ortega
Leon looking really good tonight . Colby kinda looking slow tonight though. @ufc
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) December 17, 2023
Matthew Wells
30-27 Edwards #UFC296
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) December 17, 2023
Caposa
Colby needs a finish. In other words this is over.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 17, 2023
Belal Muhammad
I’m walking through them
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 17, 2023
UFC
Championship rounds for our #UFC296 main event!
Who's winning on your scorecards? 📝 pic.twitter.com/9a5bVaRz3d
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Ben Askren
This is a pitiful performance from Colby, is he even gonna try? Trump is gonna disown him after this
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 17, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Are we done with the colby thing now 0-3 title fights
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 17, 2023
Jared Gordon
Colby is really showing his time away from the octagon tonight… #UFC296
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) December 17, 2023
Henry Cejudo
@ColbyCovMMA you are such a pussy!! All that talk just to take a shit in front of POTUS!! You make me sick! #UFC296 #BIDENSFAVORITEFIGHTER
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 17, 2023
Brian Ortega
Edward’s not even breathing 😮💨 @ufc
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) December 17, 2023
Brian Ortega
You guys thinking low legs kicks to get em him to bite then he will bring it up high for a KO again. ? @ufc
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) December 17, 2023
Michael Chandler
Through four rounds Colby has taken 1776 punches to the face and his only offense is a few sloppy takedowns. #ufc296
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 17, 2023
Nathan Diaz
Leon doin his thang
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 17, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Wonder what excuse this bum makes up
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 17, 2023
Aaron Bronsteter
40-36 Leon
That was Colby's best round, but I still give the nod to Edwards.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) December 17, 2023
Ben Askren
Colby’s coaches are terrible, where did he find these guys!
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 17, 2023
Matt Brown
Leon is just that good. Fundamentals and patience.
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 17, 2023
Fight Ghost
Leon Edwards -5000 entering the fifth and final round of a horrible UFC title fight. #UFC296
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) December 17, 2023
Henry Cejudo
@ColbyCovMMA you need to go for broke. Leon finish this dude! #UFC296
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 17, 2023
UFC
Go inside Covington's corner ahead of Round 5 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/DeOIuxm7Cs
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Fight Oracle
What an incredibly embarrassing performance from @ColbyCovMMA.
— FightOracle ™ (@fightoracle) December 17, 2023
ESPN
COLBY'S LEG 😳 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/n0Ys2jY1GG
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 17, 2023
Cageside Press
COLBY ON TOP LOOKING TO POSTURE TO LAND SHOTS!!!!
Leon on his back in open guard with his left side on the fence. #UFC296
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) December 17, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Colby landed 100 strikes but zero significant
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 17, 2023
Ariel Helwani
Why are they speaking like Leon hasn't dominated 99.9% of the fight? What in the world.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 17, 2023
UFC
25 minutes in the books!
STRONG showing for the champ. Decision on the way #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/SFAfzqdfua
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Ben Askren
And Colby gets up and acts like he didn’t get his ass kicked for 4 rounds.
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 17, 2023
Michael Chandler
If Colby’s offense tonight was an accurate depiction of the U.S. strength, we would have never gotten our independence from Britain, lost WWI and got demoralized in WWII by a landslide. Colby, you suck. #ufc296
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 17, 2023
Megan Anderson
There is no way Colby thinks he won that fight 🤣 #UFC296
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) December 17, 2023
Henry Cejudo
@ColbyCovMMA YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A FUCKING SHTICK!!! #UFC296
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 17, 2023
UFC
#AndSTILL champion of the world! 🏆
🇯🇲🇬🇧 @Leon_EdwardsMMA keeping a cool head amongst all the chaos to retain the gold! #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/CHKSe0A4lI
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 17, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili
Congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma great performance #UFC296
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) December 17, 2023
Nolan King
Leon Edwards’ coach Dave Lovell is exchanging words with Colby Covington post-fight in the cage. UFC security positions between them #UFC296
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) December 17, 2023
Matt Brown
Glad the judges got it right I was nervous
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 17, 2023
Simon Head
"He's a great competitor. But he's just a dirty human being." – Leon Edwards on Colby Covington #UFC296
— Simon Head (@simonheadsport) December 17, 2023
Derek Brunson
Trump over there like . I don’t know this n**** 💀 😂😂😂 #UFC296
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 17, 2023
Michael Carroll
LONGEST ACTIVE UFC UNBEATEN STREAKS
19 – Jon Jones
13 – Leon Edwards
13 – Islam Makhachev
11 – Magomed Ankalaev
10 – Belal Muhammad#UFC296— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) December 17, 2023
MMA Junkie
#UFC296 results: Leon Edwards (@Leon_EdwardsMMA) def. Colby Covington via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) – to defend welterweight title
Full coverage: https://t.co/BjkSdOwAxh pic.twitter.com/G9AUumu7Lm
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
MMA Junkie
Colby Covington thinks he was robbed of a victory against Leon Edwards in the #UFC296 main event. pic.twitter.com/jeHHwkeXL8
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
Islam Makhachev
I will finish both this guy
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) December 17, 2023
Philip Rowe
Think about someone you have a deep love for, that person being murdered, then someone mocking the death of your loved one. The fight game is a very short portion of our lives. Selling your soul for a dollar ain’t it. Be a noble human. Don’t be like @ColbyCovMMA
— Philip Rowe (@phillyfreshmma) December 17, 2023
Kamaru Usman
🤨🤨 #UFC296
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) December 17, 2023
Dana White
Dana White says Colby Covington looked "slow and old" in his #UFC296 loss and reveals Donald Trump was never going to wrap the belt on him. pic.twitter.com/EnzTcKNMnM
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
Daniel Cormier
Wrong on both sides. I don’t get it pic.twitter.com/qze5pTEVnL
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 17, 2023
Colby Covington
Colby Covington says complaining about his #UFC296 loss is "not the cloth that I was cut from" then calls out "Wonderboy" for a 2024 clash. pic.twitter.com/yoAHZVrsJF
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
Colby Covington
Colby Covington doesn't regret his comments about Leon Edwards' father ahead of #UFC296, and doubles down on them. 😳
"I don't feel bad about that at all. Why would I feel bad for a criminal?" pic.twitter.com/K5maAKGlvN
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards lays into "coward" Colby Covington after #UFC296. pic.twitter.com/utekBkVqvF
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
UFC
Who’s next for @Leon_EdwardsMMA after #UFC296? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/z8Liz5GY0A
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Leon Edwards
"I don't feel like Belal should be next."
Leon Edwards says Belal Muhammad shouldn't be able to "skip the line" for a title shot after his #UFC296 win. pic.twitter.com/iz3iydwenu
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
